Friday, February 14, 2014

Happy Valentine's Day from Japan

Happy Valentine's Day from Japan!
It snowed heavily on Valentine's day in Kanagawa.
We made Kamakura(a traditional snow house) for Mr. Apple.

 
 
 
At the beginning of February, we had a bean throwing day (Setsubun).
Setsubun literally means "division of seasons." It is used to mark the end of winter and summer, and is derived from the old lunar calendar. However, "setsubun" has now come to mean the day before the first day of spring only. It usually occurs around February 3rd. On this day, in a custom called mame-maki, people throw and scatter roasted soy beans inside and outside their houses while saying, "Get goblins out of the house! Invite happiness into the home!"
 
 
After throwing the beans, people customarily eat one roasted soy bean, mame, for each year of their age, and pray for happiness throughout the year.
 


 
 
 
We also have a farewell party for Mr. Apple on another day!
 
Pop-corn!
 

 
See you, Mr. Apple!
 

1 comentarios:

  1. haha it looks fun there i am going there in June and seeing my grandma and grandpa


    -vincent brooklyn

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